Executive Management Team

Our leaders bring diverse backgrounds and experience and work together to deliver for our clients through strategic growth and a culture of accountability built on values, teamwork and managing risk well.

John DeCero

Chief Executive Officer

John DeCero has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Mechanics Bank since October 2016. With more than 29 years of banking experience, he started California Republic Bank in 2007 and grew it to over $2.2 billion in assets and an additional $3.1 billion in auto loans. John’s long career in banking has also included time with Western Financial Bank, Comerica Bank and Citicorp. He was born and raised in Chicago and graduated with honors from Augustana College with a degree in Management and Finance.

Nathan Duda

Chief Financial Officer

Nathan Duda has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mechanics Bank since June 2016 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Nathan was Chief Accounting Officer and Executive Vice President, Finance at Banc of California. He has also held senior positions at Union Bank, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, OneWest Bank and Affinity Bank. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics and is also a licensed CPA.

Alicia Gagliano

Chief Human Resources Officer

Alicia Gagliano is Chief Human Resources Officer for Mechanics Bank. She directs all HR functions including HR Advisory Services, Talent Acquisition, Training and Professional Development, HR Information Systems, Compensation and Benefits. Joining the Bank in 2021 with over 20 years of Human Resources experience in the banking industry, Alicia previously held positions with Pacific Western Bank, Wachovia, Western Financial Bank, Bank of the West and Sanwa Bank. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources from California State University, Fullerton.

Scott Givans

Chief Credit Officer

Scott Givans was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, at Mechanics Bank in May 2015. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Scott served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.

Kelly Johnston

Director of Wealth Management

Kelly Johnston is Executive Vice President and Director of Wealth Management at Mechanics Bank. Rejoining the Bank in July 2023, Kelly brings more than 28 years of experience in managing multigenerational family wealth, the administration of complex trusts and estates, and a host of family wealth services. In 2022, she was listed among the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times, and has also received a Private Asset Management award for being among the Most Influential Women in Wealth Management. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers and a Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) from Cannon Financial Institute. As well, she holds of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

Tony Kallingal

Chief Banking Officer

Tony Kallingal was appointed Chief Banking Officer in January 2021. He previously served as the Head of Business Banking. Tony is an accomplished retail and commercial banking executive with more than 20 years of combined experience in branch strategy, commercial banking, treasury management and small-business banking. Active in his community, he serves on a number of non-profit boards. He holds an undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

David Louis

Director of Marketing and Communications

David Louis serves as Director of Marketing and Communication for Mechanics Bank. He is a strategic, results-driven marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience in the development and execution of integrated brand and marketing programs. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, David worked on both the client and agency side of Marketing where he developed and managed marketing programs and introduced a strategic planning process for numerous clients. David earned a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Doug Lutz

Chief Commercial Banking Officer

Doug Lutz was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer at Mechanics Bank in October 2016 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Doug previously served as Executive Vice President, Director of Bank Operations. He has over 30 years of banking experience, including 25 years in Loan Service management, and six years in Loan Production/Credit Management. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, he held positions with Citibank, Indymac Bank, California Mortgage and Realty, and Alliant Capital LLC, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBB&T) and Union Bank.

Natalie McCabe

Chief Auditor

Natalie McCabe is the Chief Auditor for Mechanics Bank. She oversees all Audit functions including Internal Audit, and is responsible for evaluating the internal control framework for Operations, Compliance, Information Technology and Support functions across the Bank. In addition, she is responsible for independently evaluating the Bank’s credit quality and credit risk management processes.  Natalie joined Mechanics Bank through the acquisition of Rabobank, N.A., in 2019, where she served as the Internal Audit Director. Natalie has over 20 years of community banking and financial services experience.  She is a licensed CPA, CISA, CFIRS, and CAMS, with a Bachelors in Accounting from University of Texas – SA.

Randy Melby

Chief Risk Officer

Randy Melby joined Mechanics Bank as Chief Risk Officer in July 2021. Randy oversees the administration of the Bank’s enterprise-wide risk management policies and practices and the risk governance framework. Randy brings over 35 years of leadership experience in audit, loan operations and risk management. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, he served as Chief Audit Executive at USAA and Chief Risk Officer at BankUnited. He has also held executive level positions at PwC, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo.

Chris Pierce

Chief Operating Officer

Chris Pierce was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Mechanics Bank in December 2019. He joined the Bank in 2016 in the role of Chief Administrative Officer. Chris has over 25 years of banking experience, beginning his career as a consultant for a regional consulting firm specializing in core data processing conversions and bank migrations, where he completed more than 140 data processing conversions/mergers. Previously, he has held positions with California Republic Bank, Western Financial Bank and Wachovia Bank.

Robbin Preciado

Director of Retail Banking

Robbin Preciado is Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking of Mechanics Bank. The industry veteran of more than 30 years oversees all facets of the Bank’s retail banking business. A strong advocate for collaborative and rewarding work cultures, Preciado specializes in leading cross-functional initiatives that unite the Bank’s array of business divisions and support units—consistently delivering one-team solutions tailored to meet each client’s needs and make communities stronger. Devoted to volunteering in the community, the native Californian has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Southern California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Glenn Shrader

General Counsel

Glenn Shrader is currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Mechanics Bank. Glenn is a veteran attorney with 27 years of California banking experience. Prior to joining the Bank, he held senior positions with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Union Bank, California Federal Bank and Citibank. He began his career in private practice with the banking and financial services practice of Paul Hastings and later served as Counsel at Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato LC, a financial services law firm, based in San Jose and San Francisco. Glenn is a member of the California State Bar, graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Kristie Shields

Chief Compliance Counsel

Kristie Shields was appointed Executive Vice President, Compliance Counsel and Risk Officer at Mechanics Bank after the October 2016 merger with California Republic Bank. Kristie joined California Republic Bank in 2011 and built the successful compliance program, including the Bank’s indirect auto compliance program, a division that is operated currently in multiple states and enjoyed high level audit and exam results. She is a veteran banker with 27 years of California community banking experience and was with Wedbush Bank prior to joining California Republic Bank. Kristie is a member of the California State Bar, graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Irvine and received her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles.

Daniel Watt

Executive Vice President, Director of Mortgage and Consumer Lending

Daniel Watt joined Mechanics Bank as Executive Vice President, Director of Mortgage and Consumer Lending in March 2023.  Daniel has over 25 years of Financial Services experience.  Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, he has held positions at Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Flagstar Bank.  He is a graduate of the California State University, Hayward, where he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors represent our shareholders and govern the strategic direction of the Bank. 

Carl B. Webb, Chairman
E. Michael Downer, Vice Chairman
Patricia Cochran, Director
Adrienne Crowe, Director
John DeCero, Director
Douglas Downer, Director
Gerald J. Ford, Director
Ken Russell, Director
Jon Wilcox, Director